Folding suitcase.



M. GRAHAM.

FOLDING SUITCASE. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 4, 1915.

Patented Mar. 7, 1916.

mmnloz M. GRHHHM I of Florida,

' folding suit ease or of the bottom section MARY GRAHAM, OF ST. CLOUD, FLORIDA.

FOLDING SUITCASE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 7, 1916.

Application filed September 4, 1915. Serial No. 49,033.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, MARY GRAHAM, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Cloud, in the county of Osceola and State have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Suitcases, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to folding boxes and has for its primary object to provide a simply constructed and very servi cable box which, while made from inexpensive materials, is nevertheless, strong and durable in practical use.

The invention has for another and more particular object to provide a folding suit box, the several sections of which are constructed from heavy cardboard, canvas or other similar material, said sections being reinforced on their inner faces and along their marginal edges by metal strips and fasteners carried by the sections to hold the same in their erect positions when the box is set up in condition for use.

With the above nd other objects in view, my invention consists in the novel features of construction, ment of parts to be hereinafter Inor fully described, claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which,

Figure 1 is a perspective view partly in section of my improved folding or collapsible suit box; Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a similar horizontal section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1; and Fig. 4'. is a plan View showing the several sections of the box opened out.

Referring in detail to the drawing, 5 designates the bottom section of the box, 6 the sides, 7 the ends thereof and S the top section. Each of these box sections is constructed of heavy canvas, leather or other similar material and the side sections 6 are hinged to the respective longitudinal edges 5, by the flexible leather strips 9 which are co-extensive in length with said end and bottom sections. The.top section 8 of the box is similarly conngtted by a leather strip 10 to the longitudinal edge of one of the side sections 6.

Each of, the side sections of the box has riveted or otherwise permanently secured to its inner face and along its marginal edges,

- of the end sections 7.

combination and arrangea continuous sheet metal strip 11. At opposite ends of this marginal metal strip, the same is formed with the angular-1y bent flanges 12 for a purpose to be hereinafter stated. A similar marginal metal strip 13 is also secured on the upper face of the bottom section 5 of the box and-the marginal metal strips 14 are secured to the inner faces One end of each of these marginal reinforcing strips 14 is connected by hinges 15 to one end of the marginal metal strip 13 on the bottom section 5 of the box. The opposite *ide portions of the metal strips 14 on the box ends are formed with the inwardly projecting lugs 16. Upon the opposite ends of each marginal metal strip 11, secured to the side sections of the box, fasteners indicated at 17 are attached and are adapted for engagement with the respective lugs or projections 16 when the side and end sections of the box are arranged in erect position. A sheet metal reinforcing frame is also secured upon the under face of the top section 8 of the box, said frame including marginal reinforcing strips 18 and a central longitudinally extending strip 19. The opposite ends of this metal frame are provided with-the angularly disposed flanges 20 and a similar angular flange 21 is formed upon said frame at the free longitudinal edge of the frame 8. This frame maybe provided on the flange 21 with a suitable lock, indicated at 22 in Fig 1, so that the top may be securely locked at its free edge to one of the upstanding side sections of the box structure.

In assembling the several sections of the box in position for use, the ends 7 are first brought to an erect or upright position upon the ends of the bottom section 5, and the sides 6 are then moved upwardly and inwardly so that the metal flanges 12 will extend upon the outer faces of said end sections, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawing. The latches or hasp members 17 are then engaged with the lugs 10, whereby the sides and ends are connected together and held in their erect positions. After the box has been folded, the top 8 is brought over upon the upper edges of the end and side sections, the flanges 20 and 21 extending upon the exterior faces of the end and side sections. For the purpose of conveniently carrying the box, I provide a handle indicated at 23, the fastenings of which are riveted through the central longitudinal strip 19 of the metal reinforcing frame 18 on the top section of the box.

The several parts of the box structure may be compactly folded by first folding the ends 7 inwardly upon the bottom section 5, then Folding one of the side sections 6 upon the bottom section and finally folding the other side section and the top 8 connected thereto, in superposed relation to the previously folded side section of the box. As the several sections of the box are constructed of relatively. thin material, it Will be apparent that when the box is thus folded, the same will occupy a small space and a large number of the folded boxes can be conveniently packed for transportation.

From the foregoing description taken in connection With the accompanying drawing, the construction and manner of operation and several ad 'antages of my invention will be clearly and fully understood.

While I have referred to my invention as primarily designed for use as a folding suit box. it will of course be apparent that the inventive idea can also be embodied in boxes of various sizes and capacities to be employed for other purposes. By reinforcing the several sections of the boX in the manner stated. I produce a very strong and sub stantial box structure. When-the same is set up in condition for use and one which may be niamifactured at relatively small lVhile l have shown and described the preferred construction and arrangement of the several parts of my device, it Will be j understood that the device is susceptible of considerable modification therein and I therefore reserve the privilege of resorting to all such legitimate changes as may be fairly embodied Within the spirit and scope oi. the inventionas claimed.

Having thus described this invention, What I desire to claim as new and secure by Letters Patent is I In a folding box, a bottom section, side and end sections hinged upon the respective side and end edges of said bottom section, marginal metal reinforcing strips secured upon the inner faces of the side and'end sections and upon the upper face of the bottom section. means carried by the metal strips on the side and end sections for sup porting said sections in their erect positions, a top section hinged to the free edge of one oi: the side sections, a metal reinforcing P27211116 secured to the bottom face of said top section. ha vine marginalstrips. and a central longitudinally extending strip, said frame being provided with angularly disposed flanges on its opposite ends, and along the tree longitudinal edge of the top and a handle connected to said top and provided with tastenin s riveted through the central longitudinal metal strip on said top section.

In. test nionv Wl'u te not 1 hereunto aii ir; my nature in the preseiuve of two Witnesse,

IriztBiY Gltiilrirklti. 

